Issue no 22    January 2010

NEW COMMITTEE Chairman: Chic Nash, Secretary: Betty Barton, Treasurer: Helen McLean, Walks Coordinator: John Duncan Members: Chris Barton, Donald Cumming, Sheena Fury, Sam Harris, Maureen Laing, Peter McLean, Don Mathieson, Anne Mirtle, Isabel Nield

Chairman Chic’s Comments 2009 is ended, but the financial crisis which erupted last April will continue to plague us for at least another year. The immediate impact is that we must drastically reduce our Group running costs to match the income we receive from HQ. Your committee has already put into place a series of measures to balance the books such as reducing committee meeting costs and recce expenses. At Area level, the production costs of the Joint Walks programme have been greatly reduced with changes its size and content. It will continue to be posted to all paid up members. This may prompt some to ask if it is still worthwhile being a member of the Ramblers, given these reduced benefits. Well, your committee pondered over this matter for some time before coming to the conclusion that we can live with those financial cutbacks over the short term. In the longer term, we must await the outcome of decisions made at Scottish Council in Feb. and General Council in mid April, when the future direction of Ramblers Scotland will be debated. Whatever the outcome, we promise to consult with you and keep you up to date with developments. On a brighter note, this is the 75th Anniversary of the Ramblers, and we intend to celebrate the occasion with an interesting and varied walks programme with a few surprises throw in for good measure. Wishing everyone a very good New Year, and keep walking.

COMMUNICATION - Chris Barton Due to the Ramblers' financial problems, we need to make every effort to reduce running costs, of which postage is quite a significant part. Would anyone, who has not already done so, let us know an email address to which we can send this newsletter and any other communications. If you don't have email, or are not happy receiving documents electronically, we will continue to post them. Email us at info@glenrothesramblers.co.uk. Please also check the website regularly, if you can, since there are regular updates about news and coming events. The photo galleries are always worth a look as well!

WALKS REPORT - John Duncan It has been a challenging time for walking with the low temperatures, deep snow and icy surfaces combining to make paths impossible or too dangerous to walk. As the weather improves we look forward to seeing you on the weekly Thursday and on the weekend walks. The summer walks programme is in progress with the object of supplying as varied a programme as possible with walks of different lengths and degrees of difficulty so that everybody can find something that is suitable. You will always find something different even in a walk you have done many times in the past, an identical route can be almost unrecognisable in different seasons and in different weather conditions – so don’t be put if you “have done that walk already”. The current tight financial situation this year in the Ramblers will restrict the amount of expenses available for walk leaders recceing walks and it is appreciated that part of this cost has been borne by walks leaders and their back markers, their contribution to the production of so varied a programme is most appreciated and on behalf of all members I thank everybody involved in the walks programmes. Please note that we have a database of individual walk details with the routes traced on maps, should you wish to do a walk on you own we would be pleased to Email or print a route for you (contact me for details).

STROLLERS’ REPORT - Donald Cumming Happy New Year to all from the Thursday Ramblers! Our usual enthusiasm for midweek walking has been tempered somewhat by the bad weather – something we have not been used to for such a long time. Recently however, West Wemyss, Kirkcaldy, Lochore and Glenrothes itself, have provided enjoyable winter walks. The joint Christmas activities with the weekend walkers were much enjoyed too – the walk at Springfield followed by the delicious meal at Pitlessie Inn and the most successful party at Markinch. Opportunities such as these to get to know more fellow Ramblers are appreciated and thanks go to the hard working organisers. Several Thursday walkers are now enjoying participating in Saturday walks too and we now look forward to rambling through 2010 enjoying our mutual interest in the benefits of walking.

SUMMER WALKS MEETING Please note that we are no longer holding a walks planning meeting at the Lomond Centre as detailed in the area programme. Walk leaders should submit walks directly to John Duncan: john@johnandmorven.co.uk, phone 01337831888.

CHRISTMAS PARTY Congratulations to all who attended the Christmas Party at Markinch bowling Club and made it such a success. It was touch and go whether it would go ahead due to lack of numbers but at the end of the day there were enough people there to make it a most enjoyable evening. Santa put in an appearance to present the raffle prizes and caused a great deal of hilarity due to ill-fitting trousers which continued to slip past his knees. The buffet was excellent and the band kept the party spirit going. Many thanks to all who contributed with excellent raffle prizes, especially to Jock for the two bottles of malt whisky. The new Social Committee very much appreciated the help they got from everyone on their first attempt at organising a social occasion and could not have done it without all the help and encouragement. It was very much appreciated. Thanks to all from Ann Mirtle & Sam Harris

75th CELEBRATIONS Ramblers is 75 years old this year. Glenrothes group intend to celebrate with something a little different. The plans are in very early stages, but we hope to climb the West Lomond on the Summer Solstice. Barbeques have been suggested to fill us up for the walk, and then we will raise a cup on the top of the West Lomond at midnight. What you have in your cup is entirely up to you! So go and find your torches and prepare for something a little different.

WEEKEND AT PITLOCHRY Along with your Newsletter you will also receive a booking form and details of the weekend away in August. The date set is Friday August 27th to Sunday 29th.

The Ramblers' Association is a company limited by guarantee, registered in England & Wales. Company Registration no: 4458492. Registered Charity, in England & Wales no: 1093577, in Scotland, no: SC039799. Registered office: 2nd floor, Camelford House, 87-89 Albert Embankment, London SE1 7TW.